JONATHAN GOODLUCK IS A ‘LETS-GO-BACK-TO-EGYPT’ IDEA FOR PRESIDENT– Says Ope Banwo https://mayoroffadeyi.com/jonathan-goodluck-is-a-go-back-to-egypt-idea-for-president-10-reasons-why-nigerians-should-never-consider-jonathan-goodluck-for-president-again/
As Nigeria groans under the weight of economic hardship and frustrated expectations, it could be understood that many citizens are nostalgic for any period that felt a little easier than the present. But to suggest a return to the Goodluck Jonathan era—as one recent article titled : ‘Re-2027 and Beyond: Why Northern Elites Must Rethink Their Strategy’ reported in https://saharareports.com.ng/re-2027-and-beyond-why-northern-elites-must-rethink-their-strategy/ and other newspapers by one Mr. Ochedi Shaibu Udale suggests—is not just shortsighted, it is intellectually insulting. It is a classic “go-back-to-Egypt” temptation that history will judge us harshly for, should we fall for it again.
The article by Mr Udale appears to be some political kite being flown by those who either do not mean well for our nation, or who are blissfully suffering from amnesia about the most harrowing, disgusting, corruption-ridden and most rudderless government Nigeria had to endure for 6 years under GEJ..
I honestly think its a dangerous idea that must be called out early, and snuffed out, before it gathers any momentum.
Never Never Again!! I reject it. My Spirit Rejects it and if Nigeria knew whats good for it, they would collectively reject it too.
If you have forgotten your histry, here are some 10 solid reasons (out of probably 50 or more reasons) why Goodluck Jonathan should NEVER again be considered for Nigeria’s highest office—no matter how bad things seem now:
1. GEJ Presided Over the Most Brazen Era of Corruption in Nigerian History
No administration in modern Nigerian history was more drenched in unrestrained looting and systemic corruption than that of Goodluck Jonathan. From the missing $20 billion revealed by Sanusi Lamido to the fuel subsidy scam and the Diezani oil heist, the economy was bled dry while Jonathan watched in clueless silence—or convenient ignorance.
2. Jonathan Goodluck Was a Figurehead President Controlled by Others
Let’s be brutally honest: Goodluck Jonathan was never truly in charge. His wife, Patience Jonathan, often appeared to wield more authority than the Commander-in-Chief himself. He was surrounded by unelected power brokers, godfathers, and kitchen cabinet loyalists who ran the country like a private company.
3. Jonathan Goodluck Was Weak, Indecisive, and Lacked Leadership Willpower
Leadership requires boldness, clarity, and moral conviction—Jonathan had none. He was paralyzed in the face of Boko Haram, folded during national crises, and outsourced major decisions to aides. Nigeria needs a wartime general, not a classroom teacher confused in a battlefield.
4. Jonathan Goodluck Normalized Insecurity and Rewarded Militancy
During his tenure, Boko Haram morphed from a local threat into a national nightmare. Worse still, Jonathan’s government paid off Niger Delta militants in a “settlement-for-peace” strategy that created an economy of violence. Under his watch, Nigeria almost descended into total anarchy.
5. Jonathan Goodluck Was So Bad That Nigerians Chose Buhari without bothering to do enough due-diligence on him – we just wanted out of GEJ Profligacy
The 2015 election was not a referendum on Buhari—it was a national rejection of Jonathan. Nigerians were so fed up with his ineptitude that they embraced an ex-dictator with baggage, hoping for change. That speaks volumes about how badly Jonathan failed.
6. Jonathan Goodluck’s Comeback Bid Being Championed by some suffering from Amnesia Is an Insult to Our Collective Memory
To even suggest Jonathan should return is to mock our suffering, spit on the graves of Boko Haram victims, and pretend the past didn’t happen. We cried for rescue in 2015. Now, we must not act like amnesiacs just because we’re disillusioned with Tinubu.
7. Jonathan Goodluck Allowed a Culture of Corruption and Impunity to Thrive and we are still dealing with it even today
From oil theft to electoral manipulation and unchecked ministerial abuse, Jonathan oversaw a government where no one was held accountable. He either didn’t know what was happening or was too weak to stop it—both disqualify him for any future leadership.
8. Jonathan Goodluck Is a Spent Force With No New Ideas to deal with our serious problems (he never had any even in his first time)
Jonathan has nothing fresh to offer. No manifesto. No clear vision. No proof that he has learned from past failures. Bringing him back would be like reinstalling a faulty software we’ve already deleted for crashing the system.
9. We Can’t Keep Recycling Failed Leaders. We need a new ones!
Jonathan, Atiku, Buhari—these are relics of the past. Nigeria cannot move forward by rotating among discredited leaders. If Tinubu must go, then we need a completely new type of leadership—not a sentimental resurrection of past mediocrity.
10. Talking ABout Jonathan As A Possible Returnee President Sends the Wrong Message to Future Generations
Rewarding failure with a second chance at the presidency sets a dangerous precedent. It tells young Nigerians that cluelessness, corruption, and cowardice can be forgiven if you wait long enough. We must not insult our national future by resurrecting national mistakes.
FINAL THOUGHT: If Tinubu Must Go, Let’s Find Someone New—But Not Jonathan, Not Atiku, and Not Even Obi Just Yet
I was once Obidient. I loved the fire. But in four years, I’ve perosnally not seen any bold policy framework from Peter Obi that convinces me he would govern differently—especially with the Obidient mob tail-wagging the dog, but even he would probably be infinitely better than Jonathan Goodluck if Nigerians chose to go that route.
As for Atiku, even Obasanjo—his own boss—told us he’s the poster boy for corruption. Must we play this same tired tape again?
President Tinubu is not perfect, and the fact that anyone is even flying the idea of possibly bringing Jonathan Goodluck back is in fact, a great indictment on the Jagaban government and how disillusioned some people must be with his government. Still, nothing can justify Nigerians going back to Egypt under Jonathan Goodluck again. I didn’t support Bola Tinubu for president in 2023 because I felt he helped bring the disaster called Buhari upon us (I was an unapologetic Peter Obi guy in 2023 as everyone knew). But he is trying hard to turn the ship around—and more importantly, he is the current occupant. If we must replace him, let us at least do so with someone new, tested, and visionary.
Certainly not Jonathan Goodluck. We already tried that. It was a national nightmare. Let’s never go back to Egypt.
What Nigeria Needs Now Is Fresh Leadership—Not Failed Experiments
Dr Ope Banwo is Mayor Of Fadeyi and
Founder, Naija Lives Matter